Silver ring and 1 copeck of Paul I

These items were found near Petrozavodsk in Russian Karelia.

Metal detecting trip near Liperi in October 2010

These Russian half-copeck coins circulated in Finland in the late 18th centrury.

 

 

New season: hoard of silver coins from Russia

These coins (74 in total) were found inside a ruined buiding in a currently non-existent village, 40 km to the north from St. Petersburg. There was no container, and I guess the coins were wrapped in a newspaper. The coins are made of a silver-copper alloy (containing only 48% of silver). Most of them are 15 kopecks, and a few are 10 and 20 kopecks.  This choice of coins is rather puzzling: it would be more prudent to hide coins of higher denomination (e.g. 50 kopecks or roubles), which contained more silver. Probably, the coins were stolen somewhere and the culprit feared to exchange them into better coins.  Another possible explanation is that this is a hoard of a kid, who received them as a gift… Where is this kid now?

All the coins were minted in the 1920s, and there are no rare ones among them. Initially they were dark or black. I have cleaned them in vinegar – a good solution.

Hoard of gold coins from Myrmekion (Crimea, Ukraine)

This is one of the most outstanding hoards I have ever seen! It was found in Myrmekion (near Kerch, East Crimea, Ukraine) in 2003 by an archaeological expedition of the Hermitage Museum (from St. Petersburg). It contained 99 well-preserved coins that belong to 53 types, mostly dating from the 5th century BC. One of the types (a sitting warrior wearing a helmet with a bow placed to the right of him) is unique. The building under which the hoard was found had been a sanctuary constructed in the 4th century BC. The hoard from Myrmekion is the only one obtained by a museum in its integrity and whose archaeological origin is clear. The sanctuary, in which the hoard was found, is known as the “Demeter sanctuary”. It occupied an area of more than 500 m2, in the center of which there was a premise with a stone altar. At present the hoard is stored at the Kerch Historical Museum.
Source: Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia, Volume 12, Numbers 1-2, 2006 , pp. 77-131(55).
More information:
http://www.muenzgeschichte.ch/downloads/SNR86_2007_Kyzikos.pdf
http://www.myrmekion.ru/bibliography/but_treist2006.pdf

The hoard as it was found in the ground.

Ivan IV silver half-copecks, mid-16 century

They were found in Central Russia.

My favourite metal detector is Garrett ACE 250: light and reliable

Usually I go for “treasure hunting” in areas around Joensuu, Liperi, Ilomantsi, etc. If you wish, you can join me – it’s more fun to dig together! Just drop me a line, my e-mail:  raskopki@suomi24.fi

Dima

My older metal detector is Garrett GTI 2500

I also have an Treasure Hound depth multiplier. It is capable of finding metal objects up to 3 meters below the surface…

Old-believer Orthodox crosses, late 19th century

A hoard of Swedish 1/6 öre coins…

It was found near Russian-Estonian border  (Kingisepp municipality) three years ago.

Silver watch, early 20th century